Fishing while on chemotherapy

[rmbumpus]

Anyone out there bass fished while on chemotherapy? I start it this Tue. I'm kinda thinking of selling the Triton. My personal E-Mail is rmbumpus@hotmail.com or post here.

[Smileee]

DO NOT FISH !!! until u have clearence from ur oncologist.
I spent 2006 - not fishing at all -
then in 2007 I did not start fishing until April and it was exhausting to just fish for 4-5 hours (1 day only), then I fished 3 days in May (2 days with Jay Liu, caught over 20+ fish per day at Clear Lake & Shasta- Thank U again, Jay, and 2.5 days with the Lloyds at Lake Fork).
While, on Chemo u are subseptible to infections and will easily get sun burned, tire easily and may become very nauseated. I have been thinking about selling my boat but it's paid for and I just had it completely serviced and it's ready to go fishing. Oh, the other thing, is cold really affects my finger tips & toes (<48 degrees) - stabbing pains - above 48 degrees, the fingers tips & toes feel tingling.
Good luck with your treatment and if you need any assistance, you can email me or call me. I am a 3 time cancer survior.

Smileee

[RougeBass]

Well I would not run out and sell the boat right away. My partner who I lost back in November was on chemo for most 2006. He would get chemo go back for his shot and and be ready to fish the next day. I truly believe everyone reacts differently to chemo. Stay strong you'll be out fishing in no time I have been cancer free for 3 months now.

[uglystyx]

i've got to give you alot of respect for thinking about fishing while on chemo. it takes alot of heart to fish in your condition. me personally, i wouldn't go unless i get clearance from the doctor first. as much as we all love to be on the water, all it takes is possibly one freak thing to happen to you (crosses fingers), and it could affect the rest of your life. i'd rather fish against a fellow nutcase than to not fish against him ever again if you know what i mean.

[Bill K]

Personally I have not had Chemo, but the wife went through it and the Dr's told her to live as normal as she could. We gauged what to do and for how long (including fishing) she could handle. She got tired faster, of course, so we just slowed down, rested and went about as normal of a life as we could during that period. Your own body will tell you what you can handle. Enjoy as much as you can, whatever you want to do, til your on full remission, etc. Bill k

[NaCl]

In late 2005, doctors told me I would never fish again due to severe vertigo attacks. I sold my boat, rods and a lot of my baits. I also resigned from my prostaff positions. This freed up my mind to concentrate on the medical issue. Then, I made it my mission to prove the doctors wrong.

It took another year to fix the problem but I was able to get back on the water and all my sponsors kept me on during the illness. I guess what I am saying is go ahead and sell your boat if it allows you to concentrate on beating the cancer. As far as fishing, you can go fishing with me any time, even for a half day if that's all the energy you have...just send me an email.

Good luck kicking that cancer. The good news is a lot of people are beating cancer nowadays. One of my clients was given 3 months to live when she was diagnosed with TWO different forms of breast cancer. That was 15 years ago! Today, she's worried about having enough money set aside for retirement! Keep positive and you can beat this thing!

.....NaCl

[Scott E.]

RM,

I wish you all the best in your battle. Me and the family will be praying for you. Scott

[Jarrett Edwards]

Hello and great question. I often wondered the same question when going through Chemo and radiation myself just a few short years ago. Many oncologists said no to fishing due to the possible infections one could get. Not just from hooks but also cuts and spines of fish. Depending on your cancer and strength of your chemo you might need blood thinners. That could be a bad situation in the middle of the lake. Also depending on your chemo options usually the drugs affects your white blood cells (Immune system) or the red ones. Not a good time for an infection as I and many others have spent a lot of time in the clean rooms in the hospital waiting for the cell count to go up.

Having said all of this the very few times I even felt like going fishing (Maybe 3 in 8 months) I had somebody take me. The chemo and radiation made me extremely nauseous and sick and the slightest movement in the boat would make me sick again. The same would go for the dizziness.

Fishing is what we do and often when facing this horrible disease you will feel many periods of wanting to make things normal again. Fishing is a great way of doing that even if you catch nothing! I personally wish you nothing but success with your treatments. My email is Jarrett@jarrettedwardsoutdoors.com and my cell # is 719-850-0618. I would enjoy hearing from you if you have any questions. I enjoy speaking with new cancer patients! Before long it will be you here on this forum answering questions trying to help the next person in line. PS: I highly recommend a port.

[lmartinez]

jarrett i met you a couple a years ago at the san mateo show i hope all is well with you nice to hear your feeling fine take care leonard martinez ps thanks for the deal on the senkos

[rmbumpus]

Thanks for the information. I have Hodgkins. Which they tell me was caught early. I really appriciate the time you took to answer my question. I only have three months of treatment. I'm glad you made it and you are an inspiration to me. Do you know the lord?

[Jarrett Edwards]

AMEN to that - I dont know how I would have made it with out! Well I found my Hodgkins Lymphoma at stage 2B. I had 2 fist size tumors near my heart and 3 egg size tumors in my neck. Scary thing is is that I found the disease at only stage 2! I went through 6 rounds of ABVD chemo and 17 radiation treatments to the neck. Not a good time by any means. Your survival rates are high and that is something great to have on your side. You getting a port? Give me a call...lets talk...Jarrett

[rmbumpus]

The doctors at Stanford are having my staging meeting tomorrow. I have nine tumors in my neck (small) and one small one in my chest. I'm due to start treatment on Tue. The only hitch is that my spleen is enlarged. They told me, I need eight weeks of Chemo (one per week) then three weeks of radiation (everyday). They say they worry just as much about over treatment as treatment. Thanks again. my cell is (707) 272-0332 and I live about 20 min. from Clear Lake where I find a lot of peace. Especially in Rodman. This is the place where I stick some very nice fish on buzz baits in the summer. I'll try calling you this week. Rich Bumpus

[Barry Watson]

Is this a great forum or what. God Bless everyone of you.

Barry

[Jarrett Edwards]

Stay Positive, I tried calling but no luck with you. Lets talk before your first chemo for sure. Jarrett

[Gator]

See, that's what this forum is all about.

Bumpus - good luck in your quest - I am sure you will come out of it fine.

Jarrett - thank you.

[Greg_Cornish]

Best wishes for you and yours. You'll be okay!

[Team Fugowee]

This is some info that although might be directly related to your diease it is a good referance. Espically diet and the types of drug packages when/if they should be used. Also what you can do to assure the drug will take the most effect. Read the bit on Hypotherma and exercise before and after chemo. Read it all....

http://www.lymphomasurvival.com/

I learned I have fNHL 2 weeks ago. This Friday I will find out how far along I am.

Information is king.

[ash]

I wouldnt sale the boat at this juncture. A good friend of mine undergone Chemo for approximatly 7-8months last year. He was an avid Outrigger - er involved in clubs and competitions. His doctor said no direct exposure to the sunlight, that and given the above in terms of weakness, naseua, and exposure to disease. I dont think it is advisable to be out fishing, and you probably wont feel like it.

With that being said, his cancer went into remission and he has ZERO cancer at this time. He was back to Rigging, running and being at the beach within three months of his last Chemo.

I think having the boat there may give you the mental drive that you will need during this time, however I could be wrong if you are making payments and it is depressing you then sale the damn thing and promise yourself the day you beat this disease you will purchase a new boat!

Keep strong, and know that your brethren are here for you. I wish you well.

Jonathan

[TTaylor]

I have never been thru chemo, but my wife is going thru it for her second time right now for Stage 3 invasive breast cancer. She's going thru a very extreme chemo treatment right now. If all stays according to plans, she'll be done by the end of March.

Infections would be one of the biggest things to worry about if you went fishing. If you get an infection while going thru chemo, it is very difficult to get rid of. 3yrs ago when my wife went thru her first chemo, she got an infection and it almost put her in the hospital to get rid of it.

Nausea might affect you also being in a boat. Depending on the type of chemo and dosage, nausea can be extreme. The movement of the boat might not help. They do have alot of meds now that help with the nausea.

On a side note, try to keep as positive as possible. Chemo can not only bring you down physically, but also mentally.

Try and eat when you can. This will help with your physical strength. My wife will drink Ensure, V8 juice and liquid yogurts. This helps to somewhat get her strength back.

All the best to you in fighting and beating your cancer. Modern technology is a great thing.

Once my wife beats it again, she will be a 2 time survivor!!!!!

Troyce

[896J]

Back in 2000, I had a tumor in my chest that could not be removed with an operation due to the proximity to my heart and lungs. It was the same type of cancer as testicular cancer. They had to kill the cancer with intensive chemo. I think going fishing was the only thing that got me through that time. The only time I was not sick to my stomach was when I went fishing. I have to say, do not go by yourself. I went fishing with my buddy Eric or my brother. My balance was horrible and I did pass out a few times while going through chemo, luckily not when fishing.

[Auggie Dog]

Rich,

I am truly sorry you have to go through this. Don't let the doctors get you down. My Father is a good example of what can happen since he was given 2-5 years in 1990. He just left my office to go see how much snow is in the parking lot at the lake. He has battled cancer 5 times now and had whipped it all 5 times. I want you to know that me and my family are praying for you to get through this and I know with the Lords help, you will be fishing Clear Lake again in no time. Keep that boat if you can...God will get you back in it as soon as he can.

If there is anything we can do for you or the girls, please do not hesitate to call and I will be there. My new powerhead should be in soon so even if you feel like a spring day on Mendo or Clear Lake when you are done with traetments, call me and we will hit the water for as long as you want.

Dave Weston
Ukiah

[rmbumpus]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I had my first chemo treatment yesterday at Standford. All went well. I have decided to keep my boat. God Bless and I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. Rich Bumpus

[ash]

Rich,

Come visit more often during your treatments. I wish you a speedy recovery!

[Farres]

Rich-

Though I've been healthy for several years, I have battled lymphoma twice in my life. Chemo, radiation and surgery was the treatment.

Both times I fished and duck hunted while undergoing treatment. While infection and bacteria is a very real concern, I'm pretty sure there is more harmful bacteria on my keyboard here in my office then there is in the middle of a lake. Man harbors and transmits far more dangerous bacteria than what blows on the wind.

Although every case is different, I was able to get outside early in each round of chemo. Simply stated, they pumped me up with so many steroids that I actually felt fairly good. Stamina wasn't there and I didn't last long, but even a few hours on the water helped me out immensely. While undergoing chemo, I remember very well getting tired while fishing alone one morning. I beached my boat under a shady tree with the idea of taking a short nap. I woke up three hours later. A great day on the water and the best nap possible.

Doctors are cautious by nature and will undoubtably advise you against going outside--mostly due to exposure from the sun. With today's excellent sun shirts, sun screen, hats, etc., in my opinion, there is very little to worry about.

The bottom line is you'll know when you are up to going outside and doing a little fishing. If you do, go! Or pm me and I'll take you.

Keep a strong mental outlook and never think for one second that this disease will beat you. God bless you.